New Year, New You?

Posted on 13th January 2018 at 15:18

So here we are 2018. Happy New Year to you all. I hope your Christmas was spent with those you love. So what about New Year? What does it mean to you? Friends & Family? Parties? Food & Drink? New Starts? New Ambitions? Time for a New You? Let me help....

New Year, New You! Do you need to reinvent yourself? What's wrong with the old you? You may have already guessed that I'm not a great fan of New Year. I don't really get it. It's just another day isn't it? I grant you, yes, it often means a new calender (12 different pictures to view of stately homes, some fluffy kittens or fast cars) but what else is it? January 1st - seems a logical date to select to make changes, but is it really the right time? Chances are there are still some chocolates left from Christmas along with a wide variety of cheeses, deserts and treats that we haven't finished off yet, so why not wait a bit, at least until the tree comes down? To start on the road to a new you is so hard when out of routine and still in Christmas mode. Too much temptation. So what to do?

I read somewhere that it takes 21 days to make a habit. Apparently it was a plastic surgeon in the 50's (Dr Maltz) who discovered it took patients a minimum of about 21 days to get used to adjusting to their new situation. In reality it's somewhere closer to 2 months. The average before new behaviour becomes automatic is actually 66 days. I would rather start something on a random date...say 21st March 2018. Why not? If you start changes when you are ready you are more likely to suceed than if you start because it's 1st January. Also March has lighter nights, maybe even better weather so for many (me Included) the reminder that winter is coming to an end and it's time to come out of hibination and greet the spring and it awakening. Tell people. If you let your family and friends know your plans they are more likely to support you or maybe just tease you enough to spur you on and by holiday time your new thing has become simply part of you.

Whatever you decide, whether you need to make a change or not, I wish to the best of luck and I'd love to know your thought or aims.